Value of ultrasound-guided core-needle biopsy for peripheral intrathoracic and mediastinal lesions

To evaluate the value of ultrasound (US)-guided core-needle biopsy (CNB) for peripheral intrathoracic and mediastinal lesions. Fourteen patients who had intrathoracic or mediastinal lesions underwent US-guided CNB with 17- or 18-gauge needles. The lesions in this study were seven cases of lung carcinomas including four cases of adenocarcinomas and three cases of squamous cell carcinomas, two cases of thymomas, and one case each of aspergillosis, sarcoidosis, MFH, lung abscess, and lung fibrosis. Diagnosis was possible in 13 of 14 (92.8%) cases histologically. There were three cases of complication (21.4%); one case each of pneumothorax, pleuritis, and hemosputum. They were all cured with medication. We concluded that real-time US-guided CNB is a useful and safe method for the examination of peripheral intrathoracic and mediastinal lesions.